The Role of Yoga Therapy in Tuberculosis Recovery and Management: A Review

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health burden, with prolonged treatment causing physical and psychological strain. Complementary therapies, such as yoga, may enhance recovery and management of tuberculosis; however, a synthesis of evidence is lacking. This review was conducted on clinical trials retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library (2000–2024) using the following keywords: "yoga," "tuberculosis," "pulmonary rehabilitation," and "mind-body therapy." Clinical trials, observational studies, and mechanistic reports were included in the analysis. Yoga improves lung function, reduces stress and oxidative stress, and alleviates anxiety/ depression. Trials show adjunctive yoga accelerates sputum conversion and improves quality of life. Yoga therapy is a promising adjunct for TB recovery and management, but larger RCTs are needed to standardize protocols.